Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) (Treatment (ALLOPURINOL (prevent tumour…
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML)
Epidemiology
The commonest acute leukaemia of adults
Associated with radiation and syndromes such as Down's
Pathophysiology
The neoplastic proliferation of blast cells derived from marrow myeloid (gives rise to basophils, neutrophils and eosinophils) elements
Progresses rapidly with death in 2 months if untreated
Clinical Presentation
Gum hypertrophy
DIC occurs in a subtype of AML where there is release of thromboplastin
Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly occur due to infiltration
Marrow failure
Infection - low WCC
Resulting in infections
There is fever and mouth ulcers
Bleeding - low platelets
Resulting in bleeding and bruising
Anaemia - low Hb
Resulting in breathlessness, fatigue, angina and claudication
There is pallor and cardiac flow murmur
Diagnosis
May be few blast cells in the peripheral blood so diagnosis depends on bone marrow biopsy
Differentiation from ALL is based on microscopy, immunophenotyping and molecular methods
WCC is often raised, but can be normal or even low
Complications
Infection is a major issue - be alert to septicaemia
Causes common organisms to present oddly, with few antibodies being made
Treatment
ALLOPURINOL (prevent tumour lysis syndrome)
IV fluids so can easily take blood for testing and administer drugs and fluids
Neutropenia may lead to deadly infections - treat with prophylactic antivirals, antibacterial and antifungals
Chemotherapy
Blood and platelet transfusions
Marrow transplantation